Showing posts with label marketing communications. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marketing communications. Show all posts

Friday, October 16, 2026

Happy National Dictionary Day!


Do you consider yourself a lexicophile? Derived from the Greek language, a lexicophile is a fan of words and dictionaries. If that description fits you, then today is a special day.

Celebrated annually on October 16th, National Dictionary Day celebrates the birth of Noah Webster, an American writer who was born in 1758. Webster is best-known for publishing the first dictionary in 1806, which he continued to expand over the next 27 years. Though this bestselling dictionary defined 37,000 words, he was unsatisfied and spent the next 22 years of his life dedicated to adding new words. In 1828, at the age of 70, he published his new dictionary with over 65,000 words.

While many of us are familiar with the spelling differences between British and American English words (such as colour and flavour spelled in American English as color and flavor), those changes can be attributed to Webster. In his first edition of the American English dictionary in 1806, he changed the spellings to American English.

After Webster died in 1843 as an American hero who pioneered the dictionary and supported both the abolition of slavery and universal education, G & C Merriam, Co. purchased the rights to his "An American Dictionary of the English Language." Brothers George and Charles Merriam continued to refine Webster's dictionary, eventually creating the Merriam-Webster dictionary that's revered today. And you can also find its resources online at www.Merriam-Webster.com.

On a personal note, in June 1977, I received my first dictionary, the Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary (the big red volume), as a graduation present from elementary school from my grandparents. I was thrilled and knew it would be a lifelong friend! It still sits prominently on my bookcase. In the book's preface, the editor wrote, "Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary is a completely new volume in the Merriam-Webster series of dictionaries. It is a general dictionary edited for use in school or college, in the office, and in the home - in short, wherever information about English words is likely to be sought."

While Merriam-Webster is a well-known dictionary brand, there are others. Let's pivot from history to marketing and check out some other well-known dictionary brands.

OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) began in 1857 when members of the Philological Society in London decided that existing English dictionaries were incomplete and inaccurate. The first edition of the OED was finally completed seventy years later in 1928. It is widely accepted as the principal historical dictionary of the English language, published by Oxford University Press, a University of Oxford publishing house. The first electronic versions appeared on CD-ROMs, leading to the launch of the OED Online database in 2000; and a complete rewrite for a digital-first Third Edition is currently underway.

OED is top-ranked because:

(1) It traces the complete history, etymology (origin), and evolution of over half a million words from the Anglo-Saxon period to the present day.

(2) It contains millions of quotation citations showing how words have been used over centuries.

(3) It functions as a comprehensive research record rather than just a quick guide for everyday spelling.

CAMBRIDGE DICTIONARY

Cambridge University Press has been publishing dictionaries for learners of the English language since 1995. Cambridge Dictionaries Online began offering these dictionaries completely free of charge in 1999 — and today, Cambridge Dictionary is still growing. The Cambridge Dictionary is owned by Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a non-teaching department of the University of Cambridge in England.

COLLINS DICTIONARY

In 1819 in Glasgow, Scotland, William Collins began his business printing sermons and hymn books but soon moved into dictionaries and atlases as well as printing the bible. While the company is currently part of the multi-national Harper Collins group, the dictionary is still compiled in Scotland - in an office in the Glasgow suburb of Bishopbriggs. In 2011, the dictionary launched CollinsDictionary.com. And according to Elaine Higgleton, Publishing Director, Collins English Dictionaries, "There are certain people such as crossword puzzlers and scrabble players who like to have a physical copy of the dictionary as well as new markets emerging in places such as India where Internet coverage is not keeping up with demand to learn English."

MACQUARIE DICTIONARY

While initially proposed during the 1960s, the Macquarie Dictionary was published in September 1981 as the first comprehensive record of Australian English. The dictionary moved online in 2003 and has continued updating through subsequent editions, including the ninth edition in 2023.


Here's a fun fact: Did you know that, at the end of each year, many dictionaries share their favorite words or terms from the entire year? I've included links at the end of this post featuring recaps of words and terms that told the stories of 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 from the perspective of dictionary brands.


Gregory Barlow, President of Merriam-Webster, has said, "The one constant of a vibrant living language is change. We continuously encounter new ways of describing the world around us, and the dictionary is a record of those changes." And also during 2025, Merriam-Webster added over 5,000 words to its Collegiate Dictionary, the first major print revision in 22 years, showing a commitment to keeping the dictionary current with language changes. 


SHARE THIS: The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter — it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning. ~Mark Twain #HappyDictionaryDay #WordChoice #DebbieLaskeysBlog


SHARE THIS: A fan or lover of dictionaries is called a lexicophile - combining the Greek root lex- (from lexis, meaning "word") and -phile (from philos, meaning "loving"). #FunFact #HappyDictionaryDay #WordChoice #DebbieLaskeysBlog


And if you're a lexicophile, you're probably also a bibiliophile (a lover of books), so to celebrate today, you might wish to read "The Dictionary of Lost Words" a work of historical fiction by Pip Williams. Here's a brief description from publisher Penguin Random House, "Set during the height of the women’s suffrage movement and with the Great War looming, The Dictionary of Lost Words reveals a lost narrative, hidden between the lines of a history written by men. Inspired by actual events, author Pip Williams has delved into the archives of the Oxford English Dictionary to tell this highly original story. The Dictionary of Lost Words is a delightful, lyrical, and deeply thought-provoking celebration of words and the power of language to shape the world."


Lastly, don't forget to swing by my blog during January 2027 to read my recap of the words and terms that told the story of 2026 from the perspective of dictionary brands!


Image Credit: AARP via Getty Images.


Check out interesting statistics for a comparison of English dictionaries:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_English_dictionaries


Read: A Love Letter To Language by Nina Hobson (Psychology Today - 7/6/2021):

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/202107/love-letter-language


Check out these posts about words and dictionaries that have appeared on my blog:


Best Social Media Post of the Month for April 2025 (May 2025)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2025/05/best-social-media-post-of-month-for.html


Words and Terms that Told the Story of 2025 (January 2026)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2026/01/words-and-terms-that-told-story-of-2025.html


Words and Terms that Told the Story of 2024 (January 2025)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2025/01/words-and-terms-that-told-story-of-2024.html


Words and Terms that Told the Story of 2023 (January 2024)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/01/words-and-terms-that-told-story-of-2023.html


Words and Terms that Told the Story of 2022 (January 2023)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2023/01/words-and-terms-that-told-story-of-2022.html


Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Welcome back, Ted Lasso!


Were you a fan of the Apple+ television series TED LASSO that ran from 2020 to 2023? If yes, then you’ve anxiously been waiting for the show's return! Well, your wait is over because the series arrives today on Apple Television - and I'm also excited to be re-introduced to the series' memorable characters and Ted's inspiring leadership lessons.

According to Foster School Business Professor Bruce Avolio, "Leaders like Indra Nooyl (former CEO of Pepsi), Eleanor Roosevelt, and Nelson Mandela, similar to Ted Lasso, seek to instill a belief that everyone matters." What a wonderful leadership lesson and take-away from the series for all leaders.

In anticipation of season four of TED LASSO, I've chosen snippets referencing the series from five marketing and leadership experts who've appeared on my Blog since the series launched in 2020. Enjoy!

AMANDA HAHN-PETERS: "There's something so refreshing about Ted Lasso's leadership style — he's humble, vulnerable, self-aware, and, above all, joyful. Early in the series, when Ted, a former American football coach, takes over as the head coach of an English Premier League soccer club, he isn't afraid to be vulnerable and admit that, despite being one of the organization's higher-ups, he's a soccer newbie. Instead of being embarrassed by his lack of soccer knowledge, Ted accepts suggestions from others in the organization to help make the team better. A specific example is when he seeks input on game strategy from AFC Richmond's kit manager, Nathan Shelly. As kit managers don't usually contribute to a team's strategy, this stood out as a moment of transformational leadership. This is also a good reminder to all current and aspiring leaders that great ideas can come from anywhere and at any level of an organization.“

ZEN YINGER: "Ted Lasso's approach to leadership is a refreshing departure from conventional portrayals. In a world often fixated on success at any cost, Ted stands out by emphasizing the human side of leadership, creating a memorable and uplifting experience for viewers.”

JOSEPH MICHELLI: "Ted was a resoundingly optimistic, ethical leader, who cared about developing the people around him. He overcame a lack of experience coaching soccer through folksy wisdom, a clear vision for the future, genuine compassion, and kindness. I believe we need more examples of leaders like Ted Lasso – those that are authentically caring, unpretentious, and other focused.”

GREGG VANOUREK: “The Ted Lasso series is brilliant on many fronts, including the way it showed the human aspects of leadership and the complex dynamics of being part of a team and community. For leaders (and others), it has powerful lessons about heart, humanity, dignity, love, hope, belief in people, and the transformation of pain and hardship. Ted connected with others - and inspired them - while proving the naysayers and cynics wrong. He reminded us that love and humanity are at the heart of great leadership. Even though Ted admitted, "You could fill two Internets with what I don't know about football," his keen sense of observation and unique approach brought so much to the team."

ERIC STONE: "Ted Lasso really stands out for me with his leadership style. Have you ever watched someone handle a challenging situation so well that it inspires you to be better? Whether it's navigating a tough conversation with an employee or teammate, or presenting to senior leadership, you walk away thinking, I wish I could communicate like that. That's the kind of leader Ted Lasso embodies; someone who connects with both the head and the heart. While he's a bit quirky at times, he proves that you can lead with high character without sacrificing high standards. He balances optimism with accountability, making people feel valued while pushing them to be their best. His ability to build trust, transform team culture, and inspire loyalty is something every leader can learn from. Just like some companies rally around slogans like Just Do It or Play Like a Champion, Ted's guiding principle is simple but powerful: Believe."

What new leadership lessons will we learn from Ted during season four? We'll have to tune in to see. In the meantime, my gratitude to Amanda, Zen, Joseph, Gregg, and Eric for sharing their thoughts about Ted Lasso the character and series.

And lastly, I highly recommend the book "Lead It Like Lasso" by Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio, because, as the authors explained, it’s "a leadership book for life, your life."


SHARE THIS: Great ideas can come from anywhere and at any level of an organization. ~Amanda Hahn-Peters #TedLassoSeason4 #TedLasso #PersonalBranding #LeadershipTips #DebbieLaskeysBlog


SHARE THIS: Ted Lasso’s ability to build trust, transform team culture, and inspire loyalty is something every leader can learn from. ~Eric Stone #TedLassoSeason4 #TedLasso #PersonalBranding #LeadershipTips #DebbieLaskeysBlog


Image Credit: Apple TV via Twitter/X.

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Celebrate International Tartan Day with an Email Marketing Tip!


As I've written a number of times here on my blog, when done well, email marketing can be a successful way to reach your brand's target audience. However, due to the number of emails that arrive in everyone's crowded email box on a daily basis, how can one solitary email capture a reader's attention? It turns out that a well-written subject line plus surprising content may just do the trick.

According to Statistica, "People send and receive around 333 billion emails every single day. And that number’s only going up — by 2026, it’s expected to reach a staggering 392.5 billion daily emails. Daily email volume varies significantly by country, with the U.S. leading the pack at 9.7 billion emails sent daily. European countries such as Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, the UK, and France each send over eight billion emails every day." And according to CRMGroup, "Nearly 50 percent of consumers made a purchase directly from an email in the past year. This confirms email’s direct impact on driving sales."

Recently, I received an email with a subject line and content that stood out. However, before we get to the email, a quick note about today's significance: Today is International Tartan Day, a date that was founded to commemorate the anniversary of the repeal of the 1747 Act of Proscription that banned wearing a tartan. Celebrated annually in Australia and New Zealand on the 1st of July, it's an opportunity for people of Scottish descent to proudly show off their Scottish roots. Now, back to the memorable email.

_______

SUBJECT LINE: A Special Thank You Gift from Great Scot

EMAIL CONTENT:

Thank you for all the LOVE.

We've been genuinely overwhelmed by the love you've shown since the launch of the Greenland Tartan. It has travelled further and faster than we ever imagined, shipped to Royals, celebrities, and diplomats, and most importantly to so many true lovers of the Arctic, both in Greenland and all over the world.

And then something made us laugh (and nod in agreement). So many of you have said some version of: "Could the polar bears and huskies please come with it?" As in...wrapped up in your scarf with you, or curled up on your picnic basket!

So, by way of a thank you, for the next 7 days only, we're sending a very plush soft toy along with qualifying orders. Your choice of Murdo (the plush Arctic husky) or Magnus (the plush polar bear).

Here's how it works: Purchase a Greenland scarf or a picnic blanket, then add your free friend. Next, enter discount code ARCTIC at checkout - and we'll tuck them into your parcel.

_______

The subject line caught my attention, and as a previous customer (who purchased the Pink Ribbon Tartan), I opened the email. After I read it, I had to smile. While I had not purchased the advertised Tartan scarf or blanket - and did not intend to do so - I appreciated the marketing promotion for its creativity and add-on that was guaranteed to be enjoyed by both children and adults.

The brand, Great Scot, sells tartans and tweeds from Scotland, and according to its website, "For many people, tartans and tweeds hold sentimental value, often being passed down through generations. They are not just textiles but carriers of personal and family histories." So, the complimentary addition of an appropriately-themed plush toy to a purchase was a great idea. Big applause to Great Scot for this marketing campaign!

What can your brand learn and apply from this brand's effective email marketing?


SHARE THIS: Email is possibly the greatest owned media channel for brands. ~@JoePulizzi #EmailMarketingTips #BrandExperience #BrandStorytelling #DebbieLaskeysBlog


Image Credit: Great Scot.


Check out Great Scot's Pink Ribbon Tartan:

https://greatscotscotland.com/en-us/collections/curaidh-the-official-pink-ribbon-tartan


Read some of my previous posts featuring email marketing tips:


Email Marketing Secrets from World Wildlife Fund! (April 6, 2026)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2026/04/email-marketing-secrets-from-world.html


Did your brand celebrate Women's History Month? (March 22, 2026)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2026/03/did-your-brand-celebrate-womens-history.html


Did your brand promote the Oscars? (March 16, 2026)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2026/03/did-your-brand-promote-oscars.html


Why Are Email Subject Lines Important? (December 10, 2025)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2025/12/why-are-email-subject-lines-important.html


Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Happy PINK Day!


Does your brand feature pink in your logo? If yes, what is the color telling your fans and customers? 

According to NationalDayCalendar.com, "Artists primarily used pink for the flesh color of faces and hands during the Renaissance. But during the Rococo Period (1720-1777), the color pink was the golden age. Pastel colors became very fashionable in all the courts of Europe during this time. In fact, Madame de Pompadour (1721-1764), the mistress of King Louis XV of France, was known for wearing the color pink, often combined with light blue. At one point, Ms. Pompadour had a particular tint of pink explicitly made for her. Pink became much bolder, brighter, and more assertive in the 20th century, and in 1931, the color "Shocking Pink" was introduced."

Now, let's take a look at six brands known by their PINK logos and association with the color - plus how the color reinforces brand identity, brand personality, and brand storytelling.

BARBIE

According to All Time Design, "The Barbie logo, dressed in its special pink color, is like a timeless symbol of fun and girlish happiness. As one of the most of most iconic pink logos, the bright pink shade brings out a feeling of joy and excitement, matching the world of the famous Barbie doll. The fancy, flowing writing adds a touch of grown-up elegance, fitting with Barbie's connection to fashion and style. Everybody knows this pink logo because it's not just a brand, but a part of our culture. People of different ages love it because it brings back memories while still feeling fresh and cool, making it a cherished symbol in the world of logos."

And in July, the United States Postal Service will unveil a set of Barbie stamps featuring Barbie dolls through the years, dressed for 10 iconic careers. Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, collaborated with Mattel on the design of the stamps and said that the team approached the project "with a spirit of fun," using bright, energetic shades — predominantly the famous "Barbie Pink" — to evoke a feeling of joy. 

SHARE THIS: Pink makes everything fabulous. ~Barbie via @Mattel #CelebrateTheColorPink #DebbieLaskeysBlog

SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE

The nonprofit is known for raising breast cancer awareness, and according to Google, its pink logo represents femininity, hope, and compassion. "The pink color was chosen to represent a positive outlook for the future, contrasting with the often-daunting reality of cancer. And the use of pink ribbons for breast cancer was influenced by the red AIDS ribbons in the early 1990s. Komen was among the first to distribute them, cementing the connection."

T-MOBILE

According to Google, "T-Mobile uses a distinctive magenta-pink (officially "New Magenta") to stand out as a bold, "Un-carrier" disrupter in a crowded wireless industry dominated by traditional colors (and competitors) like blue (AT&T) and red (Verizon). The color symbolizes joy and passion."

LYFT

Founded in 2012, the company known as a Transportation-as-a-Service (TaaS) connects drivers and riders through its mobile application in the US, Canada, and Europe. According to Google, the brand's "pink branding was intended to break the ice, encourage connection, and make passengers smile."

BASKIN-ROBBINS

Founded in 1945, Baskin-Robbins is the world's largest chain of ice cream specialty stores with more than 7,800 locations. In 2022, the brand refreshed its logo and store signage from blue and pink to brown and pink. In the logo, the pink numbers "31" represent the brand's 31 flavors. Jason Maceda, President of Baskin-Robbins at the time, explained, "Our goal is to capture the next generation of ice-cream lovers through our new look."

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

And let's not forget annual May celebrations of Mother's Day by Major League Baseball teams and players. According to Yahoo Sports, "Baseball is all about tradition, and one tradition that seems to always be at the forefront is Mother's Day. Notice the pink gear (bats, fielding gloves, batting gloves, belts, wristbands, socks, shoes, ribbons, catcher vests and facemasks, and umpire vests and facemasks) on this special Sunday? Well, it's one way players honor their mothers on game day. There's more to it than just the pink accessories though. It's also a way for MLB to honor breast cancer awareness."

But how did this tradition start? Back in 2006, baseball rules were very strict about bat colors. However, after John Hillerich, IV, the chief executive for bat manufacturer Hillerich & Bradsby saw NHL players using pink hockey sticks to raise money for breast cancer awareness, he went to MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, who immediately approved the idea the use of pink baseball bats to support breast cancer awareness. Within a few years, hundreds of players used pink bats. And each year, the used bats are auctioned to raise funds for breast cancer charities. In 2013, MLB approved using baseballs featuring pink stitches. And during the years, more pink has appeared.


So, will you celebrate PINK today by wearing the color that symbolizes friendship, sensitivity, playfulness, empathy, joy, and compassion? Chime in and share your fave pink brands.


Image Credits: Baskin-Robbins and Mattel/Barbie. 


Read the mission of Susan G. Komen:

https://www.komen.org/about-komen/our-mission/


Check out four posts about the importance of color in brand marketing here on my blog:


Get Ready for Coloring Crayola Day! (March 2026)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2026/03/get-ready-for-coloring-crayola-day.html


Recap of Flavors and Colors for 2026 (January 2026)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2026/01/recap-of-flavors-and-colors-for-2026.html


Five Ways the New Year Can Jump-Start Your Personal Brand (January 2017)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2017/01/five-ways-new-year-can-jump-start-your.html


Color's Role in Brand Marketing (September 2011)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2011/09/colors-role-in-brand-marketing.html


Monday, April 20, 2026

How One Brand Uses Text Marketing


Does your brand use text marketing? It's definitely something you should consider as a slice of your marketing pie due to the overcrowded email and social media landscape.

But first, a brief definition according to Amazon Web Services, "SMS stands for Short Message Service. It is a text messaging service that allows the exchange of short text messages between mobile devices. SMS messages typically have a maximum length of 160 characters and can be sent and received on various mobile networks. SMS is widely used for personal and business communication, providing a quick and convenient way to send concise messages to individuals or groups of people. It has become an essential part of mobile communication and is supported by virtually all mobile devices."

One brand that excels at text marketing is WAYFAIR. Check out this recent customer experience. After much online research for a set of pots and pans, I found a great set that met my needs on Wayfair. I made the purchase and then waited a week for delivery. However, during the week of waiting, I received a text that said, "While you're waiting for your order, we think you might fall in love with this frying pan! Check it out here: (link provided)."

Wow! Talk about effective marketing! The recommended frying pan might have matched my new set's color, it might have been a good addition to my new set, or it simply might have been on sale. In any case, it was another touchpoint by Wayfair to keep the "conversation" going with me while I waited for my delivery - and most importantly, it kept the Wayfair brand top of mind.

Here are some statistics from SAP:

(1) SMS messages have a 98 percent open rate, far surpassing email's average of 20 percent.

(2) 75 percent of consumers prefer to receive promotional content via SMS messages over other marketing methods.

(3) 77 percent of SMS messages get a response within 10 minutes, more than 3 times higher than email.

According to Cellcast/Australia, "SMS is a great marketing tool because of its many capabilities. It is, in fact, one of the most popular marketing platforms. A large percentage of those who get text messages open them. In contrast to emails, SMS messages are virtually always opened and read by the receiver. Text messaging's intimate character lends itself perfectly to promotional purposes. SMS is a more effective method of promoting a company endeavour than email or other forms of marketing. Text messaging's brief and precise nature compels the sender to be succinct. The organisation's long-term success is aided by this judicious use of language. Sending SMS is a low-cost method of communicating with a specific group of customers. Mobile marketing is a no-brainer because of the guaranteed delivery and the ability to see SMS messages in real time."

So, does your brand use text marketing, and if not, should you consider it?


Image Credit: Cellcast/Australia.


Check out this article from Forbes: Why Texting Is Essential:

https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2024/06/06/unlock-business-growth-with-sms-why-texting-is-essential/


Check out more interesting statistics from SAP:

https://emarsys.com/learn/blog/sms-marketing-statistics/


Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Let's Celebrate Zoo Lovers Day!


Today's the day to be a zoo lover, zoophile, wildlife enthusiast, wildlife lover, or conservationist. Take the day off from work and share your passion for wildlife by visiting a zoo.

Animals are, without a doubt, the heroes today, however, since I always look at the world through "marketing-tinted" glasses, I'd like to share some memorable zoo logos:

LONDON ZOO

This zoo is located in London, England. It's one of the world's oldest zoos and opened its doors in 1847. The words in the logo are green to symbolize nature, and several animals are hidden inside the words' letters: a snake, monkey, and penguin.

KOLNER ZOO

This zoo is located in Cologne, German, and is one of the three oldest zoos in the world. It opened its doors for visitors in 1860. At first glance, its logo is an elephant. However, a closer look reveals a rhinoceros and giraffe - plus to create the elephant's back legs, the spires of the famous Cologne Cathedral provide a reference to the zoo's city.

PITTSBURGH ZOO & PPG AQUARIUM

This zoo and aquarium are located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A quick glance at the logo reveals a tree with two birds flying above it. But a closer second look reveals a gorilla and lioness standing face to face toward each other. Pittsburgh Zoo is the largest zoo in the United States and features more than 20 species of animals that are on the verge of extinction.

WOODLAND PARK ZOO

This zoo is located in Seattle, Washington. In its logo, several animals are featured: a lion, deer, zebra and flamingo. The animals are looking in different directions - toward the past or toward the future.


Do you know the world's oldest zoo? It's Schonbrunn Zoo in Vienna, Austria. In 1752, Emperor Franz I had a menagerie built around a central pavilion. Originally, his menagerie of rare animals was reserved for the imperial family and noble guests, however, beginning in 1765, it was made available to the public. Today, Schonbrunn Zoo welcomes more than 2 million visitors annually.


SHARE THIS: Do you know the oldest zoos in the United States? They are the Philadelphia Zoo (1874), Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago (1875), and Cincinnati Zoo (1875). #ZooLoversDay #DebbieLaskeysBlog


So, which zoo will you visit today to celebrate Zoo Lovers Day? And don't forget that you can also make a donation today to help your favorite zoo.


SHARE THIS: There are 350 zoos in the United States. #FunFact #ZooLoversDay #DebbieLaskeysBlog


Image Credits: London Zoo, Kolner Zoo, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, and Woodland Park Zoo.


Read my post: Become a Toronto Zoo "Zoofluencer" (December 2025):

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2025/12/why-be-social-media-influencer.html


Learn about England's first giraffes:

https://www.londonzoo.org/zoo-stories/history-of-london-zoo/giraffe-house-history


Learn more about the Association of Zoos and Aquariums:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_of_Zoos_and_Aquariums


Learn more about the Wildlife Conservation Society:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlife_Conservation_Society


Monday, March 30, 2026

Let's Celebrate National Doctors' Day!


National Doctors' Day is a nationwide observance dedicated to honoring physicians for their continued commitment to patient care. Observed annually on March 30th, it provides a day to recognize doctors for the important role they play in the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities, often during critical and life-changing moments. 

According to AMN Healthcare, "The first observance took place on March 30th, 1933, in Winder, Georgia. Eudora Brown Almond, the wife of a prominent doctor, believed that her husband and other physicians deserved recognition for their tireless efforts. She chose March 30th because it marked the anniversary of Dr. Crawford W. Long’s first use of general anesthesia in surgery on that date in 1842, a pivotal moment that revolutionized medicine. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed a resolution officially designating March 30th as National Doctors' Day across the United States - and today, the red carnation serves as the symbolic flower of the holiday."

SHARE THIS: Not all heroes wear capes - some wear white coats. ~Unknown #NationalDoctorsDay #DebbieLaskeysBlog

From a marketing perspective, which doctors stand out? To me, there are many current medical TV shows that feature doctors and tell interesting stories about doctors, hospitals, illnesses, and more. Some even become part of the social consciousness and internationally-known brands. They include: GREY'S ANATOMY, CHICAGO MED, DOC, and The PITT. Of course, there were lots of old shows too: ER, Emergency, House, The Resident, Nurse Jackie, and The Night Shift.

Have any of these shows inspired you or a family member to become a doctor or medical professional?


Image Credits: National Doctors Day, Disney+/Facebook (Grey's Anatomy), IMDb (Chicago Med), and IMDb (Doc).

Get Ready for Coloring Crayola Day!


Since tomorrow is Coloring Crayola Day, I thought I'd give everyone (myself included!) two days to celebrate this brand.

Who can forget the box of multi-color crayons from childhood? It was always fun to choose a crayon fresh out of the box when all were new. My favorite colors were aquamarine and turquoise blue! And did you notice that the logo has a colorful smile in it?!

According to the website, "Crayola has inspired creativity since the first box of Crayola crayons rolled off the assembly line in 1903; and the brand has grown into a portfolio of innovative art tools, crafting activities, and creative toys that inspire kids to explore, discover, play, pretend, and dream.

The company began when cousins Edwin Binney and C. Harold Smith took over Edwin's father's pigment business in 1885. Early products included red oxide pigment used as barn paint and carbon black used in car tires. After noticing a need for safe, high-quality, affordable wax crayons, in 1903, Crayola produced the first box of eight crayons and sold them for 5 cents...Crayola has been a business of Hallmark Cards since 1984 and has offices in Canada, Mexico, Italy, Australia, Asia, and the United Kingdom...The Company carried the name of its founders, Binney & Smith, until 2007 when it changed its name to Crayola to reflect its number one brand."

The iconic (and timeless) art supplies are made at a factory in Easton, Pennsylvania, with a total production of up to 13 million crayons per day in 400 different colors.

And did you know that in July 2024, the US Patent and Trademark Office issued a patent to the arts and crafts brand for the SMELL of its crayons. The smell was described in the trademark application as "a slightly earthy soap with pungent, leather-like clay undertones."

Crayola sells 30 percent of its products online at Amazon.com with the other 70 percent from brick-and-mortar retailers including Walmart, Target, and Staples.

According to Cheri Sterman, director of Crayola's education division, "Creativity is a lifelong skill that helps everyone reach their full potential. Teachers who bring creative experiences to their classroom say it really transforms the way they teach. Kids get that sparkle in their eye."

SHARE THIS: When we nurture creativity in our kids, it shapes who they become. ~@Crayola #ColorInspiresCreativity #ColoringCrayolaDay #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Last year, to celebrate "Coloring Crayola Day," the company gave away one million crayons! After signing up, a youngster was able to get a FREE box of 32 crayons, while supplies lasted. Plus, fan-favorite Dandelion, along with other retired colors returned for the celebration.

From a marketing perspective, color speaks volumes. How often do we, as consumers, recognize brands due to their colors? Think of UPS and its brown trucks, Starbucks and green, and Target and red. And how many colors of the year are announced each December and January? What color truly represents your brand's personality? Very important questions.

SHARE THIS: Life is like a box of crayons. Most people are the 8-color boxes, but what you're really looking for are the 64-color box with sharpeners on the back. ~John Meyer #ColorInspiresCreativity #ColoringCrayolaDay #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Is there any other brand that rivals Crayola in terms of inspiring creativity from your childhood? If yes, please chime in and share. Otherwise, enjoy the colorful celebration!


Image Credit: Crayola.


Read: Recap of Flavors and Colors for 2026 (January 2026):

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2026/01/recap-of-flavors-and-colors-for-2026.html


Read: Jump-Start Your Personal Brand: Which Colors Reflect Your Personal Brand? (January 2017):

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2017/01/five-ways-new-year-can-jump-start-your.html


Read: Color's Role in Brand Marketing (September 2011):

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2011/09/colors-role-in-brand-marketing.html


Monday, February 23, 2026

Sharing Highlights as the Two Cauldrons Are Extinguished at the 2026 Winter Olympics!


The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of excitement in Italy and also around the world as fans of the Olympic Games watched on television (and other devices) and rooted for their countries' athletes. Yesterday, I shared a recap of my Olympics Leadership Series that took place each day during the last two weeks, and today, I'm sharing my recap of the actual event.

You may not recall everything that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry said during her Opening Ceremony speech, so here are the highlights:

"My fellow Olympians, over the next two weeks, you’re going to give us something truly special. You’ll show us what it means to be human. To dream. To overcome. To respect one another. To care for each other. This is why we all love the Olympic Games. Because through you, we see the very best of ourselves. You remind us that we can be brave. That we can be kind. And that we can get back up, no matter how hard we fall. When we see an athlete stumble and find the strength to rise, we are reminded that we can do the same. When we see rivals embrace at the end of a finish line, we are reminded that we can choose respect. When we see grace, courage and friendship – we remember the kind of people we all want to be. 

The spirit of the Olympic Games is about so much more than sport. It is about us – and what makes us human. In Africa, where I’m from, we have a word: ubuntu. It means: I am because we are. That we can only rise by lifting others. That our strength comes from caring for each other. No matter where you come from, we all know this spirit – it lives and breathes in every community. I see this spirit most clearly at the Olympic Games. Here, athletes from every corner of our world compete fiercely – but also respect, support and inspire one another. They remind us that we are all connected, that our strength comes from how we treat each other, and that the best of humanity is found in courage, compassion and kindness. 

So let these Games be a celebration of what unites us – of everything that makes us human. This is the magic of the Olympic Games: inspiring us all to be the best that we can be – together. We cannot wait to watch you, to cheer for you, to be inspired by you. To see your courage. Your strength. To see the best of humanity shine before the world. Let your flame spark hope, let it ignite joy and light the way for all of us."

SHARE THIS: Team USA featured 232 athletes, the largest Winter Olympics delegation in Team USA history. #FunFact #WinterOlympics #DebbieLaskeysBlog

And now, for my highlight reel...

OPENING CEREMONY

I thought no one could rival the magnificence of Celina Dion singing high atop the Eiffel Tower during the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, but Andrea Bocelli certainly did!

According to Liz Calvario of Today, "Andrea Bocelli, described as "a symbol of Italian excellence," inspired with an emotional performance at the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics. Following an inspiring video montage of the weeks leading to the opening ceremony as the Olympic flame made its way across the world and now to Italy, the iconic tenor and singer made his appearance on stage. He sang "Nessun Dorma" from Giacomo Puccini’s opera "Turandot." The performance was inspired by the concept of harmony and was produced by Balich Wonder Studio. As Bocelli sang, the torch arrived and the bearers made their way to light the cauldron in Milan."

And according to That Eric Alper, "The performance served as a powerful reminder of how music can be a shared language, echoing the athletes' journeys and stories...Bocelli made his Olympic debut at the Closing Ceremony of the Torino 2006 Winter Games, remaining a key figure for the Italian Olympic Games two-decades later. Music emerges as a universal language in this year's program, celebrating unity through diversity for a truly shared experience, becoming an integral part of the story that unites sport, art, and culture, in the spirit of the Olympic values of dialogue and sharing."

TWO HOST CITIES & TWO CAULDRONS

This was also the first Olympics with dual host cities, the northern city of Milan and the town of Cortina d'Ampezzo, about a five-hour drive to the northeast in the Alps. Therefore, there were two cauldrons. Their design was inspired by the sun as a source of light and energy, as well as knot patterns from the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci, who lived in Milan from 1483 to 1499. According to the Olympic website, "These are geometric interlacings that symbolize the harmony between nature and human ingenuity...bearing witness to the continuity of time and the natural alternation between day and night."

MASCOTS

According to the Olympic website, "Olympic mascots have been a key part of the Games since 1968. They’re tasked with giving concrete form to the Olympic spirit, spreading the values highlighted at each edition of the Games; promoting the history and culture of the host city; and giving the event a festive atmosphere."

So, who were the mascots from Milan and Cortina? According to NPR, "For decades, each Olympic and Paralympic Games has been represented by a mascot of some sort, with varying receptions from the public. Taking up the mantle for 2026 are Milo and Tina, a pair of scarf-wearing sibling stoats — or, as they're called in the United States, short-tailed weasels. The two are named after the Winter Games' two host cities, Milan (Milano) and Cortina d'Ampezzo, and are described by organizers as the "first openly Gen Z mascots." Tina, the Olympics mascot, is cream-colored with a brown-tipped tail. She is described as a "creative, down-to-earth type who lives in the city and loves to experience shows and concerts" and is "in awe of the power of beauty and its ability to transform." Milo, the Paralympics mascot, is brown with a white tummy. He lives in the mountains and loves to play practical jokes, frolic in the snow and invent musical instruments in his spare time, organizers say. He was born without a paw, but learned to walk using his tail.

For these Games, it all started with Italian schoolkids. As part of the creation process, Italy's Ministry of Education invited primary and secondary school students to submit ideas for the mascots — and got over 1,600 entries. It polled the public on its two shortlisted ideas: a pair of flowers (an edelweiss and a snowdrop) on a journey from the mountain to the city, courtesy of students in Lombardy; and the sporty stoats with Olympic dreams, courtesy of students in the Calabria region. Milo and Tina were officially unveiled to the public in February 2024, nearly two years to the day before the Olympics opening ceremony in Milan."

MEDALS

According to CNN, "Athletes on the podium at the Winter Olympics in Italy were awarded the most expensive medals in the history of the Games, thanks to soaring precious metals prices. More than 700 gold, silver and bronze medals were presented to the world’s top winter sports athletes taking part in events from skiing and ice hockey to figure skating and curling. And while the sentimental value is immeasurable, in pure cash terms, those medals will be worth more than ever before. Since the Olympic Games in Paris in July 2024, the spot prices of gold and silver have skyrocketed some 107 percent and 200 percent, respectively, according to FactSet data. Those eye-popping gains mean that, based on the metals prices alone, gold medals are now worth around $2,300, more than double their value at the Paris Olympics. Second-place silver medals are worth almost $1,400, or three times their value two years ago."

Let's take a moment to congratulate NORWAY for finishing at the top of the medal table, the 11th time (in 25 Olympics). Norway has won over 148 gold medals and 405 total medals. The country's most successful sports are cross-country skiing and speed skating - which account for over half of their medals.

SHARE THIS: Olympic gold medals have not been made from pure gold since the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden. ~Baldwin's in London #FunFact #WinterOlympics #DebbieLaskeysBlog


BONUSES FOR WINNING MEDALS 

Forbes reported, "Ahead of the Winter Olympics, the Italian National Olympic Committee committed to paying a cash bonus to any of the country's athletes who won a medal: roughly $213,000 for gold, $106,000 for silver, and $71,000 for bronze (converted to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at the start of the Olympics). Those rewards were generous—among the 37 delegations confirming the payout of a bonus, only Singapore, Hong Kong, Poland, and Kazakhstan had plans for larger prizes.

However, Singapore (offering roughly $787,000 for gold in an individual sport) and Hong Kong ($768,000) were shut out of the medal table, as they have been at every previous edition of the Winter Games, and Kazakhstan ($250,000) had a single top-three performance: Mikhail Shaidorov’s victory in men’s figure skating over the heavily favored American Ilia Malinin. Poland, pledging a combined $355,000 for individual gold from its Olympic committee and the national government, fared better, with a total of four medals in ski jumping and speedskating. And there are more perks promised to Polish gold medalists that include a Toyota Corolla, a furnished two-room apartment, a painting, a vacation voucher, and jewelry worth up to about $800.

The U.S. has the next-highest bill for any delegation that confirmed its financial awards to Forbes, at more than $3 million, even though the figures per medal are much lower, at $37,500 for gold, $22,500 for silver, and $15,000 for bronze. One new perk for Team USA: Thanks to a $100 million donation from Stone Ridge Holdings Group founder Ross Stevens, each U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athlete will receive $100,000 toward retirement, regardless of their results at the Games, and their families will receive an additional $100,000 after they die.

Norway, a perennial powerhouse at the Winter Games, will shell out $513,000, but that number actually undersells its Olympic commitment. The nation will continue to pay that sum each year, with each Norwegian medalist eligible for an annual stipend worth about $17,000.

New Zealand will award the smallest amount - $3,000 - to an individual athlete for a gold medal. In all, 13 countries and territories are pledging to fork over at least $100,000 to any individual gold medalist. (Three other delegations—Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Romania—said the exact amounts of one-time payments had yet to be determined, and Luxembourg said it was keeping its bonus arrangements confidential.)

Not every nation makes medal bonuses available. Ireland and Great Britain, for instance, provide grants and training stipends to their elite athletes but don't offer additional pay directly tied to their Olympic performance."


DRONE TECHNOLOGY

According to The New York Times, "Drones have been used at the Olympics since the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, but have become increasingly common as the technology improves and sports audiences grow more used to up-close action. In these Games, drones are being called on to do more than ever before. Ralph Hogenbirk, a founder of the company Dutch Drone Gods, which has a background in professional drone racing, said that pilots of the drones had made sure the athletes were comfortable with them before the Games began." And according to NBC, "The Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) is deploying a fleet of high-tech devices in Italy this year as first-person-view (FPV) drones have been incorporated into live coverage to offer unique angles to viewers watching these Games from home." 

IOC sports director Pierre Ducrey told Reuters. “We strive to offer the best viewing experience whether in the stadium or outside.”

OLYMPIC PIN TRADING

The Athletic reported, "The origins of pin trading go back to 1896, at the inaugural Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Credentials could not be printed with a photograph back then, so the pin was the official accreditation to identify officials and athletes. They began as wooden badges before evolving into pins at the London 1908 Games. The first pins were traded at the 1924 Paris Olympics, and the frenzy never died. For Greg Denardo, the Olympics have a personal connection. His grandfather, Renato Gardini, competed at the 1912 Stockholm Games for Italy in wrestling. Denardo, who is from Orlando, Florida, is attending his 13th Olympics; his first was the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid. His collection is close to 15,000. He has several luge pins because he was a luge judge at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games...According to a press release by Warner Bros., over 15,000 fans will have entered the pin trading center by the time the Olympics conclude, with over 1,200 pins sold each day. Trading pins embodies the Olympic spirit of bringing people from around the world together, and Nicholas Wolaver, a board member of the International Society of Olympic Historians and one of the collectors at the trading center, believes the success of Milan’s trading center will lead to even bigger operations for Los Angeles 2028, the first Summer Olympics in the U.S. since Atlanta."

UKRAINIAN ATHLETE'S DISQUALIFICATION

According to the Oakland Post, "The Ukrainian skeleton pilot Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Games, for he wished to compete wearing a custom helmet that commemorated fellow Ukrainian athletes who had lost their lives since the Russian invasion first began. The request for a reprieve from political opinions during the Olympic Games has been a famous argument as to whether or not it is correct for athletes to use the stage that they earn as a moment to protest or not." Heraskevych was told that he could wear a black armband while competing and then wear the helmet, but he would not budge. If he could not wear the custom helmet, he did not want to compete. So, despite a one-on-one meeting with IOC President Kirsty Coventry, Heraskevych did not compete.

MORE DISQUALIFICATIONS

Did you see that three skiers were disqualified, two athletes from South Korea and one from Japan? They are the first known offenders of a new rule that bans the use of ski wax that contains "forever chemicals," that while, they have moisture-wicking properties that can help skis and snowboards go faster in the snow, they also can cause damage to the environment and the human body, especially the liver and immune system.

According to The New York Times, "PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of chemicals that have a special bond of carbon and fluorine atoms, making them strong and resistant to water, dirt, heat, and oil. For that reason, they're used in everyday items as varied as microwave popcorn bags, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant carpets, cosmetics, dental floss, nonstick frying pans - and ski wax."

ABSENCE OF WOMEN'S NORDIC COMBINED

According to BBC, "Nordic combined - a combination of cross-country skiing and ski jumping - is the only Olympic discipline in which women cannot compete. The event has been a feature of the Winter Olympics since the first edition in Chamonix in 1924 but has only ever been open to men, despite there being women's World Cup and World Championship events. The IOC says the event is "in question overall" and that it is not a discussion about women but about the sport as a whole, citing low participation across different countries and a lack of viewership. This year 36 athletes are taking part in the men's event in Italy, down from 55 at Beijing 2022. The IOC also says Milan-Cortina is the most gender-equal Winter Games with 47 percent of the athletes women, while 50 of the 116 events are for females."

Billy Demong, a five-time Olympian in Nordic combined told the Associated Press the decision not to include the women's event in Italy is a "travesty and one of the biggest moves against gender equity in the Olympic movement in history."

CURLING CONTROVERSY

NPR explained, "In curling, players slide heavy granite rocks down sheets of ice. They must release the rock before a line drawn in the ice, the "hog line," or the stone is disqualified and taken out of play." While not as popular as ice dancing or speed skating, it draws fans due to its oddity.

The BBC reported, "A scandal at the Winter Olympics has left the Canadian curling teams on the defensive and Canadians reeling over the crack in their country's polite persona. Canadian curler Marc Kennedy had an expletive-filled outburst after Sweden accused him of cheating during a match, and later said his team might be the target of a "premeditated" attack by their rivals. Kennedy was accused of double-touching the curling stone, by making contact with the granite part of the stone with his finger after releasing it down the ice. The next day, Canadian women's captain Rachel Homan was accused of the same thing. Both have denied the accusations, but Canada's curling teams, who historically have dominated the sport, now face questions over their tactics. However, one of the curling instructors, Ankara Leonard, said the publicity could be good for the sport by generating interest."

NPR added, "Curling officials, who are stationed at either end of the sheet, say they didn't see the violations so they couldn't call it...After meeting with curling officials from different countries, World Curling said umpires would remain available to observe throws, but would only do so "at the request of the competing teams." It may have been disruptive to curlers to change the rules in the midst of the Olympics. Curlers anticipate debates and rule changes to come, such as whether video replays should be used to assist rulings, and what penalties curlers who break the rules incur."

CHALLENGES FOR MOM ATHLETES

According to The 19th, "Women have been competing in the Olympics since 1900 when they were first granted access to participate, but it’s taken decades for pregnancy and parenthood to be acknowledged as a natural part of an elite athlete’s path — and policy still hasn’t caught up...The children and families of athletes have historically not been allowed in the Olympic Village. Athletes who stay in the Olympic Village typically have their room and board covered; those who want to bring their kids along need to make — and pay for — other arrangements for housing accommodations and child care.

During the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, for the first time in history, a nursery arrangement was set up where parent athletes could visit with their children in the “nappy/diaper-wearing age.” There was also dedicated private space for breastfeeding.

For the 2026 Winter Olympics, there will be even fewer options for athlete parents. There will be no designated family space during The Games. A spokesperson from the International Olympic Committee confirmed that there will also be no permanent breastfeeding facilities within the Olympic Villages, but “a certain number of bookable spaces will be made available in each Village, which may be used for breastfeeding, among other purposes.” 

These spaces matter a great deal for Olympic athletes because many are inclined to bring children along, rather than be separated for weeks, or in some cases, months. For breastfeeding mothers in particular, these spaces are not a luxury but a necessity.

Women’s participation in the Olympics has been steadily increasing over the decades, but it wasn’t until the 2024 Paris Olympics that it achieved gender parity among athletes.

While it’s not uncommon for men to have both professional athletic careers and children, it is a much harder road for women who must pause their training and competition schedule to have children. According to an ongoing survey about the motherhood penalty in sports, conducted by For All Mothers+ and Carleton University’s Health & Wellness Equity Research Group, 73 percent of mom athletes experienced a decrease, termination, or pause in funding related to pregnancy or motherhood, and 72 percent of respondents reported needing additional income or employment outside of their sport to support their family. The key goal for gathering this data is to influence policy changes more broadly across the sports industry. There are biases with the motherhood penalty that all are looking to shift."

It’s bigger than sports though, according to Olympic medalist and mother of three, Alysia Montano, who'd like to see the narrative change for all mothers in all industries, "The podium moments for athlete mothers are podium moments for all mothers."

SUSTAINABILITY

According to CNN, "Already in the Dolomites, thousands of tourists regularly gather for selfies at lakes and viewpoints made famous by social media. Roads are choked up with cars...With our mountains already under stress from tourism and the rising temperatures of climate change, now is not the time for more construction, more development, more artificial snow, more hotels that these Winter Olympics bring."

CURLING STONES HAIL FROM SCOTLAND

According to the National Museums Scotland, "Curling is a sport native to Scotland, that can be traced back to medieval times. Today, the game involves two teams taking turns to slide heavy, polished granite rocks (called stones) across ice toward a circular target. But where do the stones used in the game come from? Curling involves sliding stones that weigh around 18 kilograms across the ice towards a target, with the aim of getting your team's stones closer to the centre than your opponents'...All of the curling stones used throughout the Olympic competition are quarried on a small, uninhabited island in the Firth of Clyde called Ailsa Craig. The rock on Ailsa Craig, 16 kilometres west of Girvan, is a kind of granite. It has been recognised as an excellent material for making curling stones since the nineteenth century."

FUTURE OF ATHLETES' VILLAGE

According to Google, "The 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Village in Porta Romana is designed as a sustainable, permanent legacy, set to be converted into Italy's largest student housing complex for 1,700+ students after the Games, which will address a critical shortage of student beds in Milan. The site, featuring six new buildings and renovated historic structures, will include public green spaces, shops, cafes, and restaurants, transforming a former railway yard into a new, eco-friendly residential neighborhood. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the Village is a LEED Gold certified development that uses mass timber, low-carbon facades, and solar-powered energy, functioning as a "Nearly Zero Energy" neighborhood. And in Cortina, temporary modular homes will be repurposed for tourism (specifically a hockey club)."

PIEROGI PLUSH FROM TEAM POLAND

MSN reported, "Move over, Tina and Milo. Team Poland's pierogi plushie may have stolen the show at the Milan Cortina Olympics. The dumpling plush has been held up by many of Team Poland's Olympians, which they call "pieroguszki." That translates to "little pierogi" in English, according to NBC Olympics.

It's often been spotted in figure skating's Kiss and Cry zone. Figure skater Ioulia Chtchetinina has seen holding up the dumpling and beaming in several instances throughout the Games. The stuffie of stuffed pasta has gotten so popular among Olympics viewers that a Michelin Guide pierogi restaurant in Brooklyn, New York, that sells the plushies has been inundated with requests. Plushie versions of Tina and Milo, the official mascots of the Milan Cortina Olympics, were given to medalists at the Games. Perhaps stuffed pasta plushies could be considered next time."

COBRANDING, SPONSORS, AND PARTNERS

Did you notice all the brands at the Olympics? Companies who sponsored the Olympics included NBC, Hershey, Coca-Cola, Airbnb, Alibaba, Samsung, VISA, Deloitte, P&G, and Allianz. Other partners included Michelob ULTRA (alcohol-free), Lilly (health), and Technogym. Luxury brands Prada, Gucci, and Fendi were also heavily involved in the 2026 Games. As far as apparel and uniforms, the following brands were featured Ralph Lauren (USA), Lululemon (Canada), EA7 Emporio Armani (Italy), Uniqlo (Sweden), and Skims. And the official tech brand was Omega (for timing).

MEMORABLE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

So many brands shared memorable graphics and messages during the Olympics, here are some from Twitter/X:

* Hershey's, an official sponsor of Team USA, shared a post featuring its Hershey's Kisses dressed in red, white, and blue with gold medals

* Sesame Street featured many of its characters with the message, "Ciao from Milano! We are so excited to be here at the #WinterOlympics!

* Sesame Street also featured Cookie Monster with the message, "Cookie Monster's living his best dolce vita in Milan with his friends."

* American Bird Conservancy shared a photo of Olympic gold medalist ice skater Alysa Liu plus a photo of a bird with the message, "We aren't saying Alysa Liu "stole the look" from the White-crowned sparrow, but we aren't not saying it either, Congrats on an epic win! Learn how to help birds on and off the ice on our blog." (Liu's outfit matched the color of the bird)

* Major League Baseball (MLB) shared a post featuring Alysa Liu throwing out a first pitch by first doing a move from her skating routine with the message, "This first pitch, good as gold."

* BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) shared a post with the message, "Congrats to BART rider and Oakland legend Alysa Liu on winning a gold medal at the Olympics and making the Bay Area proud."

* Empire State Building shared a post featuring Alysa Liu jumping on the medal platform with the message, "This is how I wake up every morning."

* Encyclopaedia Britannica shared an infographic entitled, "Guide to Curling" with the message, "Here's everything you need to know to become an expert in the wild and wonderful world of curling."

And have you heard about the Olympic Truce? This ancient Greek tradition of halting all conflicts for the duration of the Games was revived in 1992. Member states of the United Nations are asked to observe a truce from seven days before the Opening Ceremony to seven days after the Paralympic Closing Ceremony.

And how about the "Photographer's Bite?" While it appears athletes are checking if their medals are solid gold, the tradition of biting medals is primarily driven by photographers. Historically, biting gold was a way to test its authenticity, as pure gold is soft enough to show indentations. The last solid gold medals were awarded in 1904; today’s gold medals are mostly silver with a thin gold plating.

With the 2026 Winter Olympics now in the history book, it's time to look ahead to the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics. How will LA compete with the last two unique Opening Ceremonies (Paris - parade of athletes in boats along the Seine and Milan/Cortina with two cities simultaneously featuring the parade of athletes)? And let's not forget the surprising arrival of James Bond (Daniel Craig) and Queen Elizabeth at the 2012 Summer London Olympics! 

What will Los Angeles do differently since it will be the third time as host (previously hosted in 1932 and 1984)? How will Los Angeles amaze with the lighting of the Olympic flame (that can rival the balloon atop Paris)? How will Los Angeles keep the world's attention when events will take place in other cities around the United States? Note, softball and canoe slalom will take place 1,300 miles from Los Angeles in Oklahoma - and other cities were recently added to the venue list. And will there be famous celebrities as Olympics brand ambassadors similar to Snoop Dogg and Stanley Tucci? Perhaps, impersonators of Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe will attend events. The countdown has officially begun.


SHARE THIS: The "Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci was painted between 1494 and 1498 and today hangs in the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. #Olympics #FunFact #DebbieLaskeysBlog


SHARE THIS: Only one person ever won a gold medal at both the Winter and Summer Olympics: American Eddie Eagan won in boxing at the 1920 Summer Olympics and at the 1932 Winter Olympics as part of a four-man bobsled team. #Olympics #FunFact #DebbieLaskeysBlog


SHARE THIS: Since 1924, 12 countries have participated in every Winter Olympics: Austria, Canada, Finland, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, and the USA. #Olympics #FunFact #DebbieLaskeysBlog


SHARE THIS: In the first Winter Olympics in 1924, women were ONLY allowed to compete in figure skating. This continued until 1948, when skiing also became a competitive women's sport. #WinterOlympics #DebbieLaskeysBlog


Image Credits: Olympics via Twitter/X and Forbes.


Read IOC President Kirsty Coventry's full speech from the Opening Ceremony (February 6, 2026):

https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/ioc-president-s-speech-milano-cortina-2026-olympic-winter-games-opening-ceremony


Watch Andrea Bocelli's performance:

https://youtu.be/zngND21knzc?si=yVKNyp0fTaKOtwDD


Check out all the mascots from the Olympics:

https://www.olympics.com/en/olympic-games/olympic-mascots


Read about the "Last Supper" at its home in Milan:

https://www.milan-museum.com/leonardo-last-supper-cenacolo.php


Read: "In just 25 years, dozens of places will be too warm to host the Winter Olympics"

https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/10/climate/climate-change-snow-warming-winter-olympics-disaster


Read: More about the bonuses for winning Olympic gold from Forbes:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/brettknight/2026/02/06/these-13-countries-will-pay-winter-olympic-gold-medalists-100000-or-more/


Read: "A Recap of the #OlympicsLeadershipSeries2026 on #DebbieLaskeysBlog" (February 2026)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2026/02/a-recap-of-inspiring.html


Read "Sharing Memories from the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics" (August 2024):

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/08/sharing-some-memories-from-paris2024.html


Read "Five Business Lessons from the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics" (August 2024):

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/08/five-business-lessons-from-paris-2024.html


Watch Celine Dion's mesmerizing performance at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics:

https://youtu.be/9wQ-GYnKPYM?si=t-SgJiPOP37uMcYn


Watch James Bond's surprising arrival at the London 2012 Summer Olympics:

https://youtu.be/1AS-dCdYZbo?si=FkDWGkWI_cdyqPuH


Friday, January 16, 2026

Words and Terms that Told the Story of 2025


While many marketing and news commentators (including this blogger) have talked about the people, food, brands, films, books, colors, flavors, and notable deaths that made news during 2025, let's not forget the memorable words and terms that told the story of 2025.

SHARE THIS: The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug. ~Mark Twain (via Emily Aborn) #WordsoftheYear #DebbieLaskeysBlog

CAMBRIDGE DICTIONARY

Cambridge Dictionary, whose tagline is "Where Your World Grows," announced "Parasocial" as its 2025 word of the year: involving or relating to a connection that someone feels between themselves and a famous person they do not know, a character in a book, film, TV series, etc., or an artificial intelligence. The adjective was chosen because, according to the dictionary's website, "As social media intensifies the intimacy that fans feel with their adored celebrities, and with the rise in popularity of AI companions that can take on personalities, the word for these one-way relationships – parasocial – is having its own moment. Colin McIntosh, Cambridge Dictionary Chief Editor, explained, "Parasocial stood out in 2025 for several reasons. Public interest in the term increased massively this year, as we can see from our data: the number of searches for it in the Cambridge Dictionary as well as on Google spiked on several occasions. It’s interesting from a language point of view because it has made the transition from an academic term to one used by ordinary people in their social media posts. And it also captures the zeitgeist of 2025, as the public’s fascination with celebrities and their lifestyles continues to reach new heights."

COLLINS DICTIONARY

Collins Dictionary announced "Vibe Coding" as its 2025 word (term) of the year. According to CNN, "As Collins' definition states, vibe coding is the use of artificial intelligence prompted by natural language to assist with the writing of computer code. Basically, telling a machine what you want rather than painstakingly coding it yourself."

DICTIONARY.COM

Dictionary.com announced "6 7" (pronounced "six-seven" and NEVER "sixty-seven) as its 2025 word (term) of the year. According to Dictionary.com, "The annual pick serves as a linguistic time capsule, reflecting social trends and global events that defined the year. The term's exact origin is a bit unclear. Teachers and parents began hearing kids and teenagers use the term over the course of the year, and some say it can be interpreted as another way of saying "so-so," "maybe this," or "maybe that." Some have linked the term to NBA player LaMelo Ball, who is 6 feet, 7 inches tall."

According to the New York Post, "Despite the accolade, the phrase has no real meaning. And some teachers have even had to ban the phrase from their classrooms after their kids have relentlessly chanted 'Six-seven! Six-seven!'"

And get this story...according to ABC7 News, "In-N-Out kicked the number 67 out of its order system because of the viral 6-7 trend. The fast food chain said kids and teenagers would wait around just to hear it called, and then jump into unruly 6-7 celebrations. Employees confirmed the number hasn't been used for orders for about a month. Now, the order system jumps from 66 straight to 68."

OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS

Oxford University Press announced "rage bait" as its 2025 word (term) of the year and provided this definition, "Online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative, or offensive, typically posted in order to increase traffic to or engagement with a particular web page or social media account. With 2025’s news cycle dominated by social unrest, debates about the regulation of online content, and concerns over digital wellbeing, our experts noticed that the use of rage bait this year has evolved to signal a deeper shift in how we talk about attention — both how it is given and how it is sought after — engagement, and ethics online."

MACQUARIE DICTIONARY

The Macquarie Dictionary, known as an arbiter of Australian English, chose "AI slop" as its word (term) of the year for 2025, a colloquial noun defined as "low-quality content created by generative AI, often containing errors, and not requested by the user." According to the dictionary's announcement, "We understand now in 2025 what we mean by slop — AI generated slop, which lacks meaningful content or use. While in recent years, we’ve learnt to become search engineers to find meaningful information, we now need to become prompt engineers in order to wade through the AI slop. Slop in this sense will be a robust addition to English for years to come. The question is, are the people ingesting and regurgitating this content soon to be called AI sloppers?"

MERRIAM-WEBSTER

Announced on December 15th, Merriam-Webster's editors chose "slop" as its 2025 word of the year and defined the word as "digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence. All that stuff dumped on our screens, captured in just four letters: the English language came through again. The flood of slop in 2025 included absurd videos, off-kilter advertising images, cheesy propaganda, fake news that looks pretty real, junky AI-written books, "workslop" reports that waste coworkers' time...and lots of talking cats. People found it annoying, and people ate it up. Like slime, sludge, and muck, slop has the wet sound of something you don’t want to touch. Slop oozes into everything. The original sense of the word, in the 1700's, was "soft mud." In the 1800's, it came to mean "food waste," and then more generally, "rubbish" or "a product of little or no value." In 2025, amid all the talk about AI threats, slop set a tone that's less fearful, more mocking. The word sends a little message to AI: when it comes to replacing human creativity, sometimes you don't seem too super-intelligent."

FIVE WORDS THAT STOOD OUT DURING 2025 ACCORDING TO MERRIAM-WEBSTER

GERRYMANDER: "Throughout 2025, when Republicans and Democrats used redistricting to increase their electoral advantages, gerrymander became a popular search term.To gerrymander is to divide a state, school district, etc. into political units or election districts that give one group or political party an unfair advantage. The word comes from the name of Elbridge Gerry, an American politician in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Gerry was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and vice president under James Madison, and as governor of Massachusetts he tried to change the shape of voting districts to help members of his political party get elected. His system resulted in some highly irregular and oddly shaped districts, including one (Gerry’s home district) that looked a little like a newt. Upon seeing a map of the bizarre regional divisions, a member of the opposing party drew feet, wings, and a head on Gerry’s district and said “That will do for a salamander!” Another member called out “Gerrymander!” And the term stuck."

TOUCH GRASS: "The idiomatic phrase touch grass means "to participate in normal activities in the real world especially as opposed to online experiences and interactions." The phrase is often aimed at people who spend so much time online that they become disconnected from reality."

PERFORMATIVE: "In the age of social media, when all the world's a cellphone-sized stage, the steep rise in lookups of performative resulted not from any particular news item, but instead from the pervasiveness of what it describes. Performative means made or done for show (as to bolster one's own image or make a positive impression on others)."

TARIFF: "Tariff refers to “a schedule of duties imposed by a government on imported or in some countries exported goods. The word entered English centuries ago, via Italian, and originally came from the Arabic word meaning notification."

CONCLAVE: "This word spiked in lookups after the death of Pope Francis in April, when Roman Catholic cardinals from around the world gathered at the Vatican to elect a successor. This meeting, called a conclave, is how new popes have been selected since the 13th century. The word conclave comes from the Latin conclave meaning “room that can be locked up.” It originally referred specifically to the locked room where the cardinals nominate, debate, and vote in secret."

And also during 2025, Merriam-Webster added over 5,000 words to its Collegiate Dictionary, the first major print revision in 22 years, showing a commitment to keeping the dictionary current with language changes. Greg Barlow, President of Merriam-Webster, explained, "Our website receives over a billion visits per year. But people still love books. In fact, we continue to sell over a million dictionaries a year – and the new Twelfth Edition is the finest Collegiate we've ever published. For those who enjoy books and dictionaries, it will be a volume to cherish...This beautiful red dictionary may not be the biggest part of our business, but in many ways, it's the heart."

Here were key additions:

Cancel Culture: The practice of withdrawing support for public figures after they have done something considered objectionable.

Dad Bod: A physique regarded as typical of an average father, especially one that is slightly overweight.

Doomscroll: To continue scrolling through bad news on social media despite the anxiety it causes.

Dumbphone: A basic mobile phone with limited functionality, often used to reduce screen time.

Farm-to-Table: Locally-sourced food.

Ghost Kitchen: A professional food preparation facility set up only for delivery-only meals.

Petrichor: The pleasant smell after rain.

Rizz: Slang for charisma or the ability to attract a romantic partner.

Teraflop: A unit of computing speed equal to one trillion floating-point operations per second.

WFH: The abbreviation for work from home.

CREATOR INDUSTRY VOCABULARY

According to The Wrap, "The creator industry (also known as the creator ecosystem or the creator economy) is lacking a consistent vocabulary. The words "creator" and "influencer" often get confused. Creators are more focused on creating content, while influencers are more focused on building audiences."

MOST SEARCHED TERMS ON GOOGLE

According to Exploding Topics, "Google receives over 100 billion visits per month. Here are the top five searches in the United States during 2025: YouTube, Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Weather."

LINKEDIN: LATEST HOT JOB = STORYTELLER

According to LinkedIn, the percentage of job postings in the United States with the term "storyteller" doubled during 2025 to include some 50,000 listings under "marketing" and more than 20,000 listings under "media and communications."

According to The Wall Street Journal, "Corporate America's latest hot job is also one of the oldest in history: storyteller...Compliance tech firm Vanta began hiring for a head of storytelling, offering a salary of up to $274,000. Productivity app Notion recently merged its communications, social media, and influencer functions into one 10-person "storytelling" team. And military financial services company USAA is hiring its fourth staff storyteller less than a year since it hired its first."

Jennifer Kuperman, Chime's chief corporate affairs officer, said, "Terms like "editorial" are limiting. They put in mind a very specific thing you're doing or creating. Whereas you could tell stories in so many different ways."

GLASSDOOR

Glassdoor did not announce a word of the year for 2025, but instead, its 2026 Worklife Trends Report highlighted several key themes and buzzwords from employee reviews, with a prominent focus on "disconnect," "distrust," and the "forever layoff." The report uses these words to describe the growing gap between employees and senior leadership - and collectively capture a prevailing mood of uncertainty, skepticism, and strained workplace relationships expected in 2026.

Key terms and trends identified in the 2026 report included:

(1) "Disconnect" / "Misalignment": Mentions of "misalignment" in reviews surged by 149 percent, while "disconnect" rose 24 percent and "distrust" climbed 26 percent. These terms point to a significant erosion of trust in leadership.

(2) "Forever layoff": This phrase describes the new normal of small, ongoing "mini-layoffs" that create constant anxiety and job insecurity for workers, even if they don't make major headlines.

(3) "Slow-mo RTO" (Return to Office): While formal mandates are not always enforced, a subtle pressure exists, as remote/hybrid workers experience declining ratings for career opportunities compared to in-office counterparts.

(4) "AI anxiety": Though the direct impact on job satisfaction is currently limited, the psychological effect of potential AI-driven disruption is notable, particularly among early-career workers.

Here were other words and terms that stood out during 2025:

FREAKQUEL: A portmanteau (a single word created by blending parts of two or more words, combining their sounds and meanings) combining freaky and sequel. In August, the movie "Freakier Friday" arrived in theaters and was a much-anticipated sequel to the movie "Freaky Friday" that starred Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis in 2003.

TWISTED TRADWIFE FICTION: According to Author Jo Piazza, "I think these stories resonate right now because they tap into the dark side of nostalgia. The soft, serene surface hides something insidious underneath. We're living through a moment where traditional gender roles are being rebranded as empowerment, and that tension is fascinating, and very scary. Thriller readers are smart. They know when they're being sold a lie. They want to dig into it. This genre lets us do that."

DISTRACTION: According to an opinion piece on CNN.com, political reporter Ron Brownstein wrote that "One word captures the most important division among Democrats." He wrote that the word was "distraction" because every time President Trump does something that causes people to shake their heads, it causes a distraction. Case in point, how can legislators in Congress focus on important issues, when each day, Trump makes a crazy statement, for example, eliminating mail-in ballots? However, according to Celinda Lake, a veteran Democratic pollster, "Describing Trump's actions as a "distraction" is absolutely wrong. I think it misses completely where Democrats are at." And back to Brownstein, "The conflict over the word "distraction," is, of course, a proxy for the much larger debate over which messages Democrats should emphasize as they work to rebuild the party's tattered image and shape their campaigns for 2026."

TREATONOMICS: "Treatonomics" (also referred to as "little treat culture") describes our current era of economic uncertainty. The trend has taken off with consumers, according to NBC News, who are buying a small treat that's easier to afford, rather than a large purchase such as furniture or a car. Studies show that these pick-me-ups can cause our brains to release "happy hormones" such as dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins.

SANGRY: A portmanteau (a single word created by blending parts of two or more words, combining their sounds and meanings) of sad plus angry to describe a particular mood.

DELULU: Delulu is a slang term for "delusional," meaning someone who holds false beliefs or unrealistic expectations, particularly in areas like romance or celebrity fandom, but can also be applied to other areas like careers or finances. The term has gained popularity, especially with Gen Z, and is sometimes used in a more positive or humorous context. Some influencers use the phrase "delulu is the solulu," which suggests that self-confidence and a positive mindset can be the solution to problems, similar to the "fake it till you make it" idea. 

COOLCATIONS: Since the United Kingdom experienced a heatwave during June with temperatures soaring above 30 degrees Celcius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), British travelers sought cooler destinations with searches for Nordic countries and Southern Hemisphere winter breaks. The trend became known as coolcations.

SHRINKFLATION: a portmanteau (a single word created by blending parts of two or more words, combining their sounds and meanings) combining shrinking plus inflation.

SNEAKFLATION: CNN reported that, "Retailers and major brands know that many Americans live paycheck to paycheck, so they're using "sneakflation" to pass along Trump's tariffs in small increments in hopes that consumers won't notice or will be able to better absorb it." According to Google, "Sneakflation is the practice by companies of subtly reducing the value of a product or service without raising its price, in order to pass on increased costs to consumers. This is done by reducing quantity, downgrading quality, adding hidden fees, or decreasing features, rather than explicitly increasing the price tag on an identical item."

BOREOUT: Unlike burnout, boreout can slip under the radar. According to Midtraining, "Boreout is a state of chronic boredom at work that leaves employees feeling disengaged, underused, amd disconnected from their role. Over time, they may begin to question the purpose of their job, lose confidence, or detach from the team entirely. If left unaddressed, boreout can increase employee turnover and lead to rising rates of depression across a team."

GLOBAL OBSCURANTISM: This term is about the power of knowledge and who controls its flow and accessibility in the world. It refers to the deliberate action or policy of preventing the dissemination of knowledge or deliberate practice of making information vague and difficult to understand on a global scale.

STEREOTYPE REACTANCE: This is a phenomenon when people hear a negative stereotype about their group and want to prove it wrong. According to Wharton PhD student Sophia Pink, "The idea is a bit like telling someone not to press a red button. Once you know you're not supposed to do it, you want to do it more. In this case, being told that people like you fail to compete makes you want to do just the opposite and defy the stereotype."

SUMMERWEEN: According to GMA, "Calling all ghouls: Summerween is back for 2025, and the trend is even more popular than last year! The fun Halloween-meets-summer trend started in 2024, and this year, stores jumped on Summerween early. On July 25th, Michaels launched "Dead Regency," an assortment of darkly enchanting pieces featuring nods to Edgar Allen Poe, Victor Frankenstein, and ornate, crystal-draped candelabras that would work equally well for Halloween or a year-round eerie atmosphere."

KIDULTING: CNN reported, "Build-A-Bear Workshop, the nearly 30-year-old toy brand, is having a breakout moment, eclipsing some of Wall Street’s biggest winners by targeting customers across a broad age range. The toy company’s revenue grew 11 percent in the second quarter to a record $124.2 million, and it even raised full-year guidance – all while mitigating the cost of tariffs. That’s a stark contrast to years of unprofitability before 2012. Investors have taken notice. In the last year alone, Build-A-Bear’s stock is up 76 percent. Build-A-Bear broadened its customer base beyond kids and capitalized on customer trends that emerged after the pandemic, focusing on experiences and tapping into what Sharon Price John, the company’s CEO, calls the nostalgia economy." She explained, "'Kidulting (is) adults wanting to be kids, and they’re buying things that they loved when they were kids. So we leaned into that with really interesting licenses that played on their memory."

SHARENTING: According to IDX, "Sharenting consists of posting photos, videos, or stories about your kids on social media. Before you post, consider that this information could be used by bad actors for harassment, identity theft, and more...Bad actors could use these personal details to track down your child’s location, commit identity theft, or attempt to hack into your accounts. Your kids could also be subjected to cyberbullying or harassment."

GENES VERSUS JEANS: The AP reported, "U.S. fashion retailer American Eagle Outfitters wanted to make a splash with its new advertising campaign starring 27-year-old actress Sydney Sweeney. Titled "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans," the campaign sparked a debate about race, Western beauty standards, and the backlash to "woke" American politics and culture. Most of the negative reception focused on videos that used the word "genes" instead of "jeans" when discussing the blonde-haired, blue-eyed actress known for her two HBO series. Some critics saw the wordplay as a nod, either unintentional or deliberate, to eugenics, a discredited theory that held humanity could be improved through selective breeding for certain traits...Eugenics gained popularity in early 20th century America, and Nazi Germany embraced it to carry out Adolf Hitler's plan for an Aryan master race." Marcus Collins, an assistant professor of marketing at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, said, "The criticism could have been avoided if the ads showed models of various races making the "genes" pun. You can either say this was ignorance, laziness, or intentional. Either one of the three isn't good."

A final note, American Eagle defended the ad on Instagram in an attempt to stop the criticism: "[The] Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans" [campaign] is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story. We'll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone."

SIGNAGE AND HISTORY/HERSTORY: The 19th reported that, "Under pressure from the Trump administration, the National Park Service (NPS) removed historical context from signage that explained the role women played in the creation of the Muir Woods National Monument and highlighted the racist ideologies of some of the men associated with the site. A ranger for the monument confirmed that the information removed in mid-July originated from an initiative by NPS officials called "History Under Construction" that filled in gaps in the timeline of the park to offer a more comprehensive history of the monument in Marin County, California, which is known for its old-growth redwood trees." Alan Spears, senior director of cultural resources at the National Parks Conservation Association, a nonprofit that advocates for the park system, said, "President Trump's executive order could jeopardize the Park Service's mission to protect and interpret American history. Every American who cares about our country's history should be worried about what people, places, and themes disappear next."

PAINSTORMING

A new term appeared according to Psychology Today, "Painstorming" refers to a leadership practice of diagnosing organizational "pain" to drive meaningful change, rather than simply "brainstorming" possible solutions. It views friction as valuable feedback, helping leaders ask, "How do we make change work for people?" instead of "How do we make people change?"

Ahron Friedberg, M.D., explained, "Most leaders excel at brainstorming: generating ideas for innovation. But few are skilled at painstorming, or the ability to surface frustration, friction, and fatigue. Painstorming is the practice of identifying the emotional and structural pain points associated with change. It reframes discomfort as diagnostic data. Resistance, when examined through painstorming, often exposes misaligned priorities between executives, managers, and teams. Addressing these fractures early restores alignment and prevents burnout. Painstorming is important because it closes the gap between leaders' perceptions and the reality on the ground by surfacing hidden problems; and it builds trust so that leaders who acknowledge and address pain can build deeper connection with their teams."

META QUOTE

And let's not forget the language snafu from January, as reported by Fortune, Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg was quoted as saying, "I think masculine energy is good, and obviously society has plenty of that, but I think that corporate culture was really trying to get away from it. It's like you want feminine energy, you want masculine energy. I think that that's all good. But I do think the corporate culture sort of had swung toward being this somewhat more neutered thing. If you're a woman going into a company, it probably feels like it's too masculine. You want women to be able to succeed and have companies that can unlock all the value from having great people no matter what their background or gender."

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WORD/PHRASE REMOVAL LAWSUIT

On a final linguistic note, NPR reported in December that, "Some Head Start early childhood programs are being told by the federal government to remove a list of nearly 200 words and phrases from their funding applications or they could be denied. That's according to recently submitted court documents. The list of words and phrases is titled: "Words to limit or avoid in government documents." and includes "accessible," "belong," "Black," "disability," "female," "minority," "trauma," "tribal" and "women." The list was submitted on December 5th, as part of an ongoing lawsuit filed by Head Start programs in a handful of states – including Pennsylvania, Washington, Wisconsin and Illinois – against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The lawsuit argues that the Trump administration's ban on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in federal programs conflicts with Head Start's statutory mandate. That mandate includes, among other things, providing "linguistically and culturally appropriate" services as well as early intervention services for children with disabilities."

Jacqueline Rodriguez of the National Center for Learning Disabilities said, "Banning the word 'disability' from Head Start is morally repugnant and a violation of federal law. No administration can claim to support children with disabilities while banning the very word that protects them."


As the famous writer Joseph Conrad wrote, "My task which I am trying to achieve is by the power of the written word, to make you hear, to make you feel - it is, before all, to make you see. That — and no more, and it is everything."


What words and terms will define 2026? We'll have to wait and see, but until next January's recap, I invite you to browse through your dictionary to learn new words!


Image Credit: Engoo.


Read in Forbes: Is Social Media the New Google for Gen Z?

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/social-media-new-google/


Read Glassdoor's Worklife Trends Report for 2026:

https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/worklife-trends-2026/


Read here on my blog: Best Social Media Post of the Month of November 2025:

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2025/12/best-social-media-post-of-month-of.html


See the full list of nearly 200 words and phrases included in the Head Start lawsuit:

https://www.npr.org/2025/12/11/nx-s1-5640757/head-start-hhs-funding-dei


Read about Painstorming on Psychology Today:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/listen-and-build/202510/how-painstorming-helps-leaders-drive-change